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Sat, May 26 2012
Dutch advice on how to tackle Sofia's traffic problem
Photo: Georgi Kozhouharov
After Italian and Japanese experts advised the Sofia municipality on how to deal with its traffic problem, a team of experts from the Netherlands presented their findings.
Key points in the Dutch advice were the introduction of more cameras to monitor traffic, so-called green waves along the 13 busiest roads in the city and a traffic information system to warn drivers about traffic jams.
Initial investments for the system were estimated at 13.8 million euro, Bulgarian daily Dnevnik said.
Support and maintenance for 10 years would cost the municipality an additional 19.1 million euro.
The investment would save an estimated 18.1 million euro annually, mainly in reduced travelling time, reduction in fuel usage and reduced carbon emissions, the Dutch report said.
The Dutch were not the first to have advised the Sofia municipality on how to deal with its traffic problems, but findings and suggestions from Italian and Japanese experts had been implemented only partially, Dnevnik said.
"Some of the ideas in the advice have already been implemented," transport deputy mayor Lyubomir Hristov was quoted by Dnevnik as saying. "Almost all traffic lights have been automated and a traffic management centre was nearing completion. A green wave, however, is not a panacea," Hristov said.
According to Hristov, it was not clear whether there would be room in the municipal budget to implement the Dutch proposals.
Dnevnik quoted Sofia mayor Yordanka Fandukova as saying that European funding would be sought for the project.
According to Fandukova, 12 intersections in the city already had cameras installed to monitor traffic.
Key points in the Dutch advice were the introduction of more cameras to monitor traffic, so-called green waves along the 13 busiest roads in the city and a traffic information system to warn drivers about traffic jams.
Initial investments for the system were estimated at 13.8 million euro, Bulgarian daily Dnevnik said.
Support and maintenance for 10 years would cost the municipality an additional 19.1 million euro.
The investment would save an estimated 18.1 million euro annually, mainly in reduced travelling time, reduction in fuel usage and reduced carbon emissions, the Dutch report said.
The Dutch were not the first to have advised the Sofia municipality on how to deal with its traffic problems, but findings and suggestions from Italian and Japanese experts had been implemented only partially, Dnevnik said.
"Some of the ideas in the advice have already been implemented," transport deputy mayor Lyubomir Hristov was quoted by Dnevnik as saying. "Almost all traffic lights have been automated and a traffic management centre was nearing completion. A green wave, however, is not a panacea," Hristov said.
According to Hristov, it was not clear whether there would be room in the municipal budget to implement the Dutch proposals.
Dnevnik quoted Sofia mayor Yordanka Fandukova as saying that European funding would be sought for the project.
According to Fandukova, 12 intersections in the city already had cameras installed to monitor traffic.
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Ofcourse half the dutch population rides bikes. I doubt the Bulgarians would go for that.
Adam:
"Drivers in Sofia are the worst I've seen and have no patience or courtesy."
You must've not been in BG 10-20 years a go - it was much worse!
Things are improving but slowly...
The solution to Sofia's traffic is to stop it growing and that means discouraging further growth of the city.
Sofia already has 20% of the Bulgarian population, every year this increases further and developers press for more and more land further out to be built on. This means more cars on the roads. There are only so many technical fixes that can be tried.
There needs to be a huge push to encourage businesses to set up in regional centres. The government could show the lead on this by sending some government [...]
Read the full comment departments out of the capital.
Dont worry, if they use the advises for green wave and camera then this camera will perfectly send the fines or even sign in the cop on the corner. point is camera measure the speed beteen the cams as well.
We are so good in Holland help our finance minister to get half his budget out of fines.
"Green wave" light systems only work if the drivers drive the speed limit. Drivers in Sofia are the worst I've seen and have no patience or courtesy. Drivers here slam on the gas pedal right when the light turns yellow. With this behavior, green waves wouldn't work.
What is the use of having camera's if nothing is done with the info coming from them? Pay few leva in the office to avoid paying a suitable fine? What about teaching people how to behave in traffic? Maybe it would help more as putting up expensive camera's and cause less accidents.